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"I'm not planning on challenging Arthur solo—I've got my crew at my back! That's why, when he finally returns, there needs to be a Thunder God Pirate crew left for him to lead. That's the only way to honor a promise between men that weighs as much as gold!"
Shanks' grin widened, and behind him, the distinct members of his crew bristled with battle-ready intent.
"So... Mr. 'Red Count' Patrick Redfield, I'm gonna have to ask you to do me a favor and give me some face... and just stay a legend of the past already!"
SHING!!
The blade Gryphon let out a crisp, clear chime. Cold light danced off the steel; the vibrating edge seemed to thirst for blood. A crushing wave of fighting spirit radiated outward like a physical tide.
"Move out! We have no business being in a war of this caliber!" aboard the Sun Pirates' ship, Jinbe's expression was grim. Cold sweat rolled down his brow as he forced out each word. "The Four Emperors... the hierarchy is about to be set in stone!"
Without a second of hesitation, the entire Sun Pirate crew quietly withdrew from the Thunder God Sea.
On the other side, the Moria Pirates were in even worse shape. Under the weight of that absolute, world-shaking Conqueror's Haki, the zombie army had zero resistance. The shadows tethered to the corpses were shaken loose, and the undead fell like dominoes. Their entire combat capacity was wiped out in an instant.
Of the entire Moria crew, only three people still stood.
"Failing once or twice doesn't mean I'll fail forever... Even the Thunder Emperor tasted defeat when he first set sail!" Moria cast one final glance at the Thunder God Sea before turning to leave. "I'll build my strength and come back. When I do, I won't be the one running!"
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"You... you actually evolved your Observation Haki to the point of seeing the future?"
The sea breeze played with the stray hairs around Stussy's face. Her pale, porcelain complexion was masked in sheer shock.
In a duel, the possessor of "Future Sight" was essentially invincible against anyone who lacked it.
Stussy's mind raced—if the Thunder Emperor combined that ability with his devastating destructive power, was there anyone left on Earth who could even touch him? Unless he ran into someone whose foresight was deeper than his own, he was effectively unrivaled.
Arthur gave a casual smile, looking unfazed. How many years had he been stuck at this threshold? Maybe eight, maybe ten—he'd almost lost track.
His breakthrough was a natural progression; the Rainbow Mist had simply been the final push he needed to step through that door.
The once-barren, rubble-strewn Ruluka Island was now covered in lush green grass, teeming with life.
"The mist is gone," Arthur said, walking to the edge of the cliff and looking down.
Beneath the jagged precipice lay a mountain of shipwrecks and treasures—a graveyard true to its name—but the mysterious, shifting Rainbow Mist was nowhere to be found.
"This island has a secret. There's no way that mist appeared here by coincidence."
Arthur closed his eyes, letting the gentle sea breeze wash over him as he "foresaw" various possibilities. Within seconds, his mind played out every result of destroying the island or diving deep to investigate.
However, the mental strain was immense. Cold sweat beaded on his skin, and yet, he found nothing.
"Let's move, Stussy," Arthur said simply. He didn't even need to ask for her opinion; he'd already seen her future response.
Stussy had paid back the World Government with her life. Stepping out of the Rainbow Mist, she was entering an entirely new chapter of her existence.
"I wonder how long it's been. A year? Ten? It's time to tell the world... I'm back!"
Time was a warped thing inside that mist. No one knew how much time had passed in the outside world. The two of them leaped into the air, treading the sky as they flew toward the New World.
Water 7—The "Aqua Laguna" Restaurant.
After flying for three days and three nights, Arthur and Stussy arrived at the world's most famous shipyard. They found a bustling restaurant, took a seat, and ordered a massive spread to fill their stomachs.
Arthur reached for a newspaper on the table, the paper still smelling of fresh ink. He glanced at the date.
"Sea Circle Calendar, Year 1509?! It only felt like two days in there, but a whole year has passed outside?"
"We should be grateful," Stussy said, removing her hat and brushing back a strand of hair. "At least we weren't stuck in there for decades."
"From now on, the administrative affairs of the Thunder God Pirates are all yours," Arthur said nonchalantly, flipping the page.
Headline: Shocking Truth—The Real Reason Behind the Thunder God Rebellion!
Headline: War for Supreme Hegemony—Pirates Flock to the Territories of the Four Emperors! Men, Face the Flames of War!
"As long as you're at the top, people will find any excuse to challenge you. Even Whitebeard and the others are under siege?" Arthur wasn't surprised.
The sparks of war were already visible before he vanished. A year later, with one of the four pillars of the New World gone, total chaos was inevitable. Ambitious men don't ignore gifts from the heavens.
"So the rebellion in the Thunder God Sea has already kicked off? They finally lost their patience..." Arthur stood up, a smirk playing on his lips.
He had faith in Shiryu. He had watched the man grow for years. If it were just Redfield alone, Shiryu wouldn't go down easy.
"Are we heading back to handle the traitors now?"
"Of course! I gave Redfield his life and his Devil Fruit. It's only right that I take them back now... As for World's More-More Fruit, he's held onto it long enough. It's time for me to harvest."
"Look at the next article," Stussy pointed out.
"Hmm? The Moria Pirates and the Sun Pirates were defeated... and a new 'monster' crew has appeared: the Red Hair Pirates?" Arthur's eyebrows shot up.
"Shanks finally made it to the New World? A man like him was never going to stay quiet for long."
"But," Arthur continued, "none of the captains, including Shiryu, can stop Redfield on their own. They're at a disadvantage. And Shanks... he was raised by Roger. A man trained by that legend won't take advantage of someone while they're down."
Arthur knew Shanks. That man did everything with honor.
"Guhahahahahaha! The era of the Four Emperors... maybe it's time for a name change!!!" Arthur's boisterous laughter echoed through the restaurant.
"What's with the noise?! You looking to die, pal?"
"Shut up, you freak!"
The tourists and pirates eating nearby felt their eardrums ringing from the sheer vibration of his laugh. They glared at him, some even drawing their weapons.
"Wait... that guy looks familiar... gasp!"
"It's... it's the Thunder Emperor!!!"
CRASH—
The moment someone recognized him, they hit the floor in terror. Hundreds of people scrambled over one another, crawling and sprinting for the exit.
"The Thunder Emperor isn't dead! He's back!!!"
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The Thunder God Sea.
The atmosphere had turned ice-cold following Shanks' bold declaration.
"Stay a legend, you say?" Redfield's wicked smile carried a chill that could freeze a man's heart. "Hehehehe... Young man, your time on Roger's ship isn't enough of a resume to justify that arrogance! You think you can use me as a stepping stone to the top?"
"The old era is giving way to the new. Someone has to fall from their throne!"
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